After riding my bike 75 miles in truly cold weather, I am exhausted.

I rode from my house to the Dragon and back, and the temp (windchill) was around 34 degrees. Burr.

Actually I rode 37.5 miles from home and turned around … thank goodness. On the return trip, as I crossed  the Foothills Parkway, I looked east toward Gatlinburg and North Carolina … wow. Every mountain top was covered in snow. It was a beautiful sight, but the brisk temps made the trek a little “tougher.” I stopped on my return trip to snap the photo of the day. Enjoy.

Long shadows this afternoon created a dramatic scene along the Foothills Parkway. Temps were perfect, as were road conditions. This short stretch of the the Foothills Parkway is “sweet.” The Foothills are considered a national parkway which, if completed, will traverse the foothills of the northern Great Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee, located in the Southeastern United States. The 71-mile (114 km) parkway will ideally connect U.S. Route 129 along the Little Tennessee River in the west with Interstate 40 along the Pigeon River in the east, passing through parts of Blount County, Sevier County, and Cocke County. However, it’s been under construction since 1944. (Alaska’s built more bridges to nowhere and we can’t complete the Parkway?) Go figure.

Eventually large sections of the Parkway will cross a series of high ridges running roughly parallel to the Tennessee boundary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and will offer unobstructed views of the Great Smokies to the south and the Tennessee Valley to the north. When this road is completed I intend of riding it end-to-end. For now, enjoy the photo. Make sure to click the photo for the 2000 pixel-width version. Ride on.

Newfound Gap (elevation 5048 ft./1539 m.) is a mountain pass located near the center of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park of the southern Appalachian Mountains in the United States of America. Situated along the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, the state line divides the gap, as does U.S. Highway 441 (also known as Newfound Gap Road), on its way over the mountains between Gatlinburg, Tennessee and Cherokee, North Carolina. The Appalachian Trail also traverses the gap, as do a small number of other hiking trails. From ‘Light 10′ in Gatlinburg, Tennessee to the Newfound Gap is just shy of 18 miles … uphill with 3,600′ of elevation gain (that’s the part I like).

I rode my bike up to Newfound Gap in order to capture the images herein. Yes, I could have taken my car, but the bike was in the car. The workout is “moderate” but I would not suggest attempting the ride unless you’re comfortable with lots of cars, crazy drivers who love to hog the road and of course going uphill for well over an hour. The temps were low-50’s at the top – and even brisker at Clingman’s Dome.

(I’ll savor that trip for another visit before the season closes it down.) Upon reaching the summit, a couple asked me if I rode up … “yes, it was a nice day to ride” (my answer) to which they replied, “all the way up?” LOL.

Enjoy.

The sky is the daily bread of the eyes.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

A large photo image taken along the Foothills Parkway. This shot gives you a view looking Northeast from the Parkway toward Maryville, Tennessee. Beautiful image reflective of a very hot, muggy and windy day. Click to enlarge.

Seconds do count – and usually those seconds add up at the end of a race year.

In 2007 my PR up the first 3 miles of the Parkway was 15:32 (from the National Park sign to the parking area where it levels off). Not bad – but not great.

About a month ago, I decided to try it again. After an 8 mile warm up I attempted a TT run up the 3 mile segment. My time – 14:40 – and for any rider that would be a nice improvement.

Today I decided to try it again … so after an 8 mile warm up, I got on it – but much harder and more consistent even when the pain was most intense. My time – 14:10 – another nice improvement. In fact, dropping a minute/22 in one year is great. It’s proof that hard work pays off – and even more proof that seconds count when you’re lowering TT times, especially hill climb TT’s.

Great PR – nicely done. Ride on.

After all, it’s “labor” day – what better day to work than when it’s “Labor Day.” Clean the house, cut the grass, buy some groceries, fold a dozen baskets of laundry, scrub the driveway, dust, vacuum, and shower – then it’s time to relax. I like the idea of work first – then play. So we worked – then we journeyed to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park to find our “lounging rock” which is hidden along the road from Metcalf Bottoms. Food, drink (water) and napping – along with cold water and some sun made for a great day … laboring.

The beautiful weather and cool temperature made for a wonderful start to the 2008 Rocket Run: The Fastest 10K in Tennessee. In its first year as a 10K, The Rocket Run enjoyed a lot of smiling faces and the encouragement of many, many volunteers from Appalachian Bear Rescue of Townsend, Tennessee.

Jeff Day set the course record with a 32:43 and Allison Maurer was the overall women’s winner with a 43:16. All racers were timed by Total Race Solutions.

As Secretary for the Board of Directors, I enjoyed the process of assembling and helping organize the 10K event. Thanks to all those folks that contributed – both those on the Board and those who are “Black Bear-minded.”

Appalachian Bear Rescue is highly appreciative of everyone’s help.

The photo gallery herein recaps the fun at our event.

For 2009, it’ll be even faster.

Rock on.

With just one day to go, my mind has been fully centered on what’s happening in France. The one place I care not visit, unless I’m going to watch the Tour (which, BTW, I will do someday). Onward. BGE and I traveled to the crowded National Park for some relaxation. We did relax but it was at the expense of Metcalf Bottoms.

I’ve seen the lots full there just a few times – but today it was overflowing. We took the shortcut into Metcalf via Wears Valley (a local entrance out of sight to Gatlinburg visitors) … and that road was crowded. Umm. I truly believe our peaceful side of the Smokies is garnering its share of local folks who aren’t vacationing this year. Enough of the area-talk.

The spot we found was private – secluded and in the middle of the stream. We had a HUGE lounging spot with just the river running around us. It was a natural sound machine kicking it up a few notices. After a light lunch we napped for two hours while baking a bit in the sun. It was a relaxing day – even with the challenges of local traffic.

One more day and the wait is over. Happy Birthday America – Viva Le Tour.